Delivery mechanism for sheet-folding and other machines.



m n /(Eugen No. 835,002. PATENTED NOV. 6, 1906. 0. STURTEVANT.

DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR SHEET FOLDING AND OTHER MACHINES.

- APPLICATION IILBD .TULY31, 1905.

PATBNTED NOV. 6,1901)".

v 0. STURTEVANT. Y DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR SHEET FOLDING AND OTHER MACHINES,

APPLICATION I'ILBD JULY 31, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

64M. WQBQ Fig.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. STURTEVANT, OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEI, ASSIGNOR TO E. O. FULLER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 6, 1906.

Application filed July 31, 1905. Serial Np. 271,901.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that'I, CHARLES A. STURTE- VANT, a citizen of the United-States, residing .at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements. in- Delivery Mechanism for Sheet-Folding and other Machines, of which-the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a delivery mechanism for sheet-folding and other machines, and has the object to produce a delivery mechanismfor this u ose of im roved construction and one W ic avoids t e necessity of em loying followers on the stacking-table, there y permitting of handling the stack of folded sheets with greater facility.

In the accom anying drawings, consisting of two sheets, E gure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my im roved delivery mechanism applied to a s eet-folding machine. Fi s. 2 and 3 are cross-sections thereof at rigiit angles to each other in lines 2 2 and 3 3, 1, respectively. Fig. 4 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of one of the packer-rod guides, taken in line 4 4, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding arts throughout the several views.

So. muc ofthe folding-machine shown in the drawings for illustrating the application of my improved deliverymechamsm consists, essentially, of a frame A, a pair of folding-rollers a a, journaled horizontally on the rear part of the frame, a folding blade B cooperatin with said rollers, tapes b for carrying the s eets to said rollers, and two pairs of smashing-rollers c 0', arranged below the folding-rollers and receiving the folded sheets therefrom.

As the folded sheets issue downwardly from the smashing-rollers the same are received bymy improved delivery mechanism,

, which stacks oropiles the folded sheets and which is constructed as follows:

D represents the stackin or receiving table, upon which the folded s eets are piled or stacked. This table is inclined, preferably, at an angle of forty-five degrees and rises from its rear or receiving end rearwardly toward its front or delivery'end. The receiving end of the table is arranged below and in front of the smashing-rollers of the foldingmachine. The sheets are directed from these rollers to the receiving end of the table by inclined guide-bars E, which extend from said rollers downwardly and forwardly at ri ht angles to the receiving-table. These gui e-bar's are supported by means of a cross-bar e, which is connected at its ends to the main frame of I the folding-machine and to which the guide bars are secured near their u per ends. The receivin -table is supported by means of two standar s F, arranged lengthwise underneaththe same near opposite ends thereof.

G represents a plurality of packing-fingers which reciprocate len th'wise of the table, and whereby the folde sheets are moved forwardly over the same. Each of these fingers is arranged at ri ht angles to the plane of the table and extends through a longitudinal slot 9 in the same, the greater part of its length projecting above the table, while a short part thereof rojects below the table. The several pac ing-fingers are arranged in a row transversely of the table and are connected at their. lower ends below the table by a transverse guide-bar H. The latter is' guided in inclined uideways or slots h, formed on the standards F.

Various means may be employed for effecting the reciprocating movement of the pack' ing-fingers lengthwise of the table, that shown in the drawings consisting of a transverse rock-shaft I, journaled on the standards, links J each ivotally connected at one end with an ear 9', orrned on one of the packing-fingers, and at its 0 posite end withadepending rock-arm & on he rock-shaft'I, a rotary ing-shaft k, and a cam-rod k, connected at one end with an upright arm '5 on the rockshaft I and en aging 0 eratively at its oppositeend with the cam In their rearmost osition the packing-fingers are arranged in mewith the guide-rods E and form, together with the same, practically a continuous surface, whereby the folded sheets are directed edgewise from the smashin -roller.s of the folding-machine to the recelving-table. After the folded sheet has been eposited on the table in front of the packin -fingers the, latter move forwardly and carry tie sheet against the pile on the same and then move rearwardly in position for receiving the next sheet.

L represents a plurality of detent-rods, whereby the pile on the table is supported cam K, arranged on a transverse driv-- when not engaged by the packing-fingers. The detent-rods are arranged parallel with the packing-fingers and in a transverse row in front of the same. The several detentrods are connected with a cross-bar M, and

at their upperends the same pass through guide-openings l in the table. 3 The'crossbar is guided in its reciprocating-movement I to lay the rear sheet or .ceives a transverse reach the end of with the detent-rods by means of brackets N N, arranged near opposite ends of the bar M and guided on inclined guide-rods O, which are arranged parallel with the packingfingers and detent-rods. Each of the brackets N is provided on its front side with a reeess n, in which the cross-bar M is secured by a screw m, and on its rear side with an eye a, which receives the ad acent guide-rod O. The latter are mounted on the standards F bymeans of lugs o, secured to or formed on the inner sides of the standards and supporting the rods 0 at their ends. The etentrods and the partsQconnected therewith may be raised and lowered by various means. The means for this purpose shown in the drawings consist of a horizontal rock-shaft P, journaled transversely on, the standards F; upright rock-arms p, secured to the rockshaft P near the ends thereof and each provided at its upper end with a slot g, which repin ron the up er part of one of the brackets N an interme iate upright rock-arm S, secured to the central part of, the rock-shaft P; a rotary cam T, secured to the main driving-shaft 7c, and a cam-rod t, connected at one end to the rock-arm S and engaging operatively at its opposite end 'with the cam T.

' While the packing-fingers are in their rearmost position the detent-rods are elevated above the table and support the pile of sheets at the back thereof, so as to form a space or gap behind the same and the packing-fingers I into which the next incoming sheet is fed from the folding-machine. After the sheet has been thus deposited-on the table in front of the packing-fingers the latter advance, and at the same time the detent-fingers are withdrawn downwardly below the surface of the table, thereby permitting the packing-fingers signature against the When the packing-fingers back of the'pilertheir forward movement,

. the same stand sli htly in front of the detentfingers. -While t e packing fingers are in this positionthe detent-rods are raised so as to stand behind the last sheet, and then the packing-fingers are withdrawn into theirrear most position, leaving the pile resting against the detent-rods preparatory to receiving the next sheet or signature.

By stacking or piling the signatures from F or this purpose the clearing-levers the lower end toward the upper end of an inclined table the weight of the pile of signa tures tends to keep them packed against the packing-fingers and detent-rods. The movable followers which are commonly employed on horizontal piling or stacking tables and against which the signatures are usually packed are thus dispensed with, thereby per- It has been found in practice that when Very long or high signatures or sheets are being delivered from the folding mechanism to the stacking-table that the upper ends of the s1gnatures,in the absence of any rovision to prevent it, would lag behind, whi e the lower palms thereof are engaged by the packinggers during their forward movement, thereby interfering with the next-incoming sheet. The means for avoiding this objection are constructed as follows: V represents a plurality of auxiliary clearing-levers or packing fingers, which are arranged vertically and each provided with an upper push-arm v and a lower actuating-arm e. The several clearing-levers are mounted so that they have a bodily mo ement with the packingfingers and also a vertically-swinging movement independent of the packing-fingers.

are pivotally su ported between their arms on the upper en s of the packing-fingers, while their lower ends engage with a stationary abutment on, in rear of the lower part of the packing-fingers. As shown in higs. 1, 2, and 3, the pivotal connection between the clearinglevers and the packing-fingers consist of a transverse rod 1 to which said levers are secured, and which are j ournaled in upwardlyopening bearings or socketsy formed on the upper rear part of some of the packingfingers.- The abutment consists of a transverse rod supported by means of brackets 2 on the rear end of the stacking-table.

While. the main packer-fingers are in their rearmost position the clearing-levers stand with their upper arms in rear of the path of the sheets, as shown by full lines in Fig. 1,

these levers being yieldingly held in this 0- sition by any suitable means, but preferalily by making the lower arms of the clearinglevers heavier than the u per arms, so that they bear constantly agamst the abutmentrod :1;. As the main packing-fingers move forward in engagement with the lower part j\vers also moves forward. Inasmuch as the the next incoming sheet.

wise of the table. in a lower arms of the clearing-levers are preventedfrom moving forward with thepacking-fingers, these levers during this movement are caused to tilt or turn in a vertical plane, whereby the upper arms thereof are advanced beyond the acking-fingers, as shown bydotted lines in i 1, and caused to push the up er ends of t e signature forwardly/,so t at they do not interfere with As the packingfingers return to their rearmost position the clearing-levers are also automatically re- 5.

stored' to their rearmost position, ready for receiving the next sheet.- It will thus be observed that the upper or operative ends of the auxiliary packin -fingers v move forward with the main pac 'n -fingers. G \but the movement of the auxifiary fingers is faster than the 'main fingers, which acceleration of movement is due to the actuatin -arm 11 of the auxiliary fingers engagin wit the abutment or stationary rod :0. T e return movement of the auxiliary fingers is in like manner accelerated, so that the same clear'the guide-rods E by the time they reach the end of their backward movement.

By the use of the'clearing-levers the necessity for employing very long packing-fingers and detent-rods and a guick o eratin mechanism therefore is avoi ed an instea allows more time for moving these fingers and rods into position, thereby reducing the wear and rendering the operation less noisy.'

I claim as my invention 1. A delivery mechanism for sheet-folding and other machines comprising a stackingtable, main packing-fingerso crating to engage the lower parts of'the s eets, separate etent-rods operating to engage the lower parts "of the sheets, and auxiliary packing or clearing fingers operating on the sheets above the main acking-fingers I and detent-rods,

"substantial y as set forth.

2. delivery mechanism for sheetefolding and other machines comprising a stackingtable, main packing-fingers movable lengt the lower part of said sheets, detent-ro movable transversely of said table and operating to engage the lower parts of said sheets, and auxiliarypackin -fingersmovablelength vance of, the main acking-fingers andoperating to enga e wit the sheets above the main packingngers and detent-rods, substantially as set forth.

3. A delivery mechanism for sheet-folding and other machines comprising a stackingtable, main packing-fingers movable lengthwise of the table and operating to engage the lower parts of the sheets, detent-ro s movable transversely of the table and operating to engage the lower parts of the sheets, an

auxiliary packing-fingers pivoted on said main packing-fingers, so as to move in the same direction therewith lengthwise of the table and arranged to engage the sheets above the main packing-fingers and detentrods, and means for acceleratin the movement of .the auxiliary packing ngers rela-' tively to the main packing-fingers, substantially as set forth.

4. ,A delivery mechanism for sheet-folding and other machines comprising a stackingtable, main packing fingers movable relatively to said table and arranged to engage the lower art of the sheets, upright clearinglevers or ngers. pivoted on said main packing-fingers and eachhaving an upper arm arranged to. engage the upper art. of said sheets and a lower arm, and an a utment which is engaged by the lower arms of said clearinglevers, substantially'as set forth.

5. A delivery mechanism for sheet-folding and other machines comprising a-stacking table, a lurality of main packing-fingers movable orward and backward relatively to said table and having at their upper ends sockets or bearin s, a transverse pivot-rod journaled in said bearings, upright clearinglevers orauxiliary packing-fingers each hav-' ing an up er push-arm and a lower actuating: arm, who is heavier than the push-arm and mounted between its arms on said pivot-rod, and a transverse abutment-rod mounted on the stackin -table and engaged by the lower arms of sai clearing-levers or auxiliary fingers, substantially as set forth.

6. A delivery mechanism for sheet-folding and other machines comprising a stackingtable, a plurality of packing-fingers arranged at right angles to the plane of the table and movable parallel thereto. in longitudinal slots formed in the table, a cross-bar connectin' said fingers below the table, a lurality o detent-rods arran ed parallel to t e packingfingers and'mova le at -ri ht angles to the plane of the table throug opemngs in the same, a cross-bar connecting the lower ends of said rods below the table, and means'for I moving the fingers forward while depressing wise of said table and opera'tingto engage s the rods and elevating the rods while retracting the fingers, comprising a rock-shaft havin rock-arms connected w1th the cross- 'bar 0 the fingers, and a rock-shaft having rock-arms connected with the cross-barof said rods, substantially as set forth.

7. A delivery mechanism for sheet-folding and other machines comprising a stackingtable, standards supporting said "table at opposite sides and provided with longitudinal guideways, a plurality of packing-fingers movable through slots in said table, a crossbar connectingsaid fin ers below said table and movable in said guideways lengthwise of ICC the table, a rock-shaft provided with rockarms, links connecting said arms with said &

is secured, a guide-eye on its rear side which receives one of said guide-rods and a con ling-pin arranged on its upper side, a rocl; shaft, and rock-arms secured to said shaft and each provided at its free endiwith a slot which receives the coupling-pin of one of said brackets, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 14th day of July, 1905.

CHARLES A. STURTEV ANT.

Witnesses:

THEO. L. PoPP, E. E. BUsH. 

